Hey there,
Thought I'd throw in my two bits.... ok, I went to a great island in Vietnam called Phu Quoc, about one hour from Saigon. Pretty weird place, was a prison during the war, but quite spectacular at the same time. Beach bungalows are the main accom, motorbikes a must. You can catch a ferry / public bus there too if you're keen enough, lay in hammock on the trip over. Pretty cool.
I went to Mongolia in May which I could go on about for hours, but in December you're talking minus 40, so don't think it's the best time to go, unless you're into frostbite. Do recommend from May-Sept though.
But where you should go is Sipadan Island off Borneo, if you haven't been there and can dive, or enjoy snorkelling, it is simply heaven, stilt bungalows over the crystal clear water, turtles, sharks, a literal volcanic mushroom island with a one km drop-off the beach. Food is magic, people are magic, it is just spectacular. Highly recommended...
Brunei's Empire Hotel has to be seen to be believed, you could combine the trip to Sipadan with a few days there.
How about Laos? Luang Prabang and the monks,untouched paradise...it's very cool, if you are not into 5 star travel.
Anyway let us know where you choose, we have just booked Thailand for the same time, tried and tested but loved and still more to be discovered.
Cheers,
Heather  | 
